Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga now claims that President William Ruto plans to make former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati Chief Justice before the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on February 2, 2024, Raila said that the plan to appoint the former IEBC boss as the head of the Supreme Court was hatched during a recent meeting that happened at State House involving the head of State and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“In that agreement, the five High Court Judges and two Court of Appeal Judges will be for Mr. Ruto to forward to the JSC. And he floated the names.
Immediate former IEBC Chairman Mr. Wafula Chebukati and former IEBC Chairman Ahmed Isaac Hassan are to be appointed as Court of Appeal judges with Chebukati be later elevated as the Chief Justice before 2027 General elections,” read part of the statement.
According to the Azimio leader, the meeting also involved an elaborate plan that will allow the Head of State to appoint friendly judges to the Judiciary.
Raila on appointment of judges
Related to the “plot”, Raila said, are the vacancies listed by CJ Martha Koome seeking to appoint eleven judges to the Court of Appeal of Kenya.
The President of the Supreme Court announced vacancies through a Gazette notice dated February 2, 2024.
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Addressing the listed vacancies, the opposition chief claimed that it was a return favor for an agreement made between Ruto and Koome.
The ODM leader claimed that the State House meeting saw both parties reach an agreement that will supposedly allow the head of state to provide additional funding to the Judiciary.
“In return for this additional funding, Justice Koome is to advertise vacancies for five additional High Court Judges and 11 Court of Appeal judges,” said Raila.
Ruto-Koome meeting
These remarks by the opposition chief come after both heads of different arms of the government convened a meeting at State House on Monday, January 22 to resolve the recent dispute between the executive and the judiciary.
The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Legislature, the Judiciary, and Executive led by President Ruto.
Also Read: Details of Ruto, Koome Closed Door Meeting
All arms of government deliberated on building approaches to fight corruption, enhance accountability and to facilitate the efficient and seamless delivery of services to the people of Kenya.
